Minshuku Jinza

The staff were thoughtful and warm, and I was really happy with the stay. The whale set meal was a full course at a reasonable price, with different cuts and ways of cooking it, so even though most dishes were whale, it never got boring. The Tatsuta-age was tender, with no tendons, unlike what I remember from elementary school lunches. Their homemade bacon had a refined taste, without the heavy fattiness of supermarket bacon. We also tried ocean sunfish sashimi. It was delicious and in season in winter. We didn’t try the liver this time, but I’ve heard it’s a delicacy and would like to taste it.

The whale dishes are what brought me back for a second visit, and they were delicious with generous portions. For 10,000 yen, I think this is a great deal, especially when that amount won't even get you a business hotel room in Tokyo. The room's a little old, but it's clean and that doesn't bother me. The bathroom and toilet are shared, which seems reasonable for a guesthouse. The owner was kind and helpful too. I'll be back.

Such a shame the restaurant is closing for good. When I called to reserve on March 1, 2026, I was told it had closed after the husband's passing (tears). Thank you for all the delicious whale meals over the years m(_ _)m.

The whale cuisine is the specialty here. Most guests seem to go for the whale course, though there's a standard option for anyone who doesn't like whale. Even that course included one whale dish, and both dinner and breakfast were so good I'd come back just for the food. With only three rooms, the place feels relaxed. You can reserve the bath for private use, and meals are served in your room. The owner is friendly and easy to ask for sightseeing tips. The guesthouse is right in front of Wadaura Station on the JR Uchibo Line, and Wadaura WAO! roadside station is across the tracks. It's a handy base for Kamogawa, Chikura, and Shirahama.